FreeFishCareTips.com By Gale Chester Whittington .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gay Author
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gay Author
Pond Care
| The Peaceful Pond By Gale Chester Whittington ==Copyright 2004-2008== |
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NATURE’S MEDICINE
The sound of moving water sooths the senses and calms
the psyche, which is why more people than ever enjoy
backyard ponds, complete with gurgling waterfalls and
splashing fountains.
Garden pools have risen in popularity over the last ten
years to the point where almost all pet stores and
greenhouses showcase a department dedicated to
“waterscaping.” Special bog plants, from duckweed to
water lilies, and fish, from minnows to colorful carp, are
available almost everywhere plants are sold.
Most ponds today are made with rubber or vinyl liners. The
old concrete base of yore was wrought with problems, the
biggest of which involved cracking due to the shifting
properties of the surrounding soil during freezing and
thawing. Today’s elastic liners stretch with these changes
and, depending on the exact material, last from 10 to 30
years. Secure the liner by surrounding the water with
flagstone, affording the pond a natural-looking finish.
FISH PRECAUTIONS
Goldfish and koi are considered cold water fish, but
nonetheless thrive in Oklahoma’s warm climate, as long as
the pond employs a good pump and is at least eighteen
inches deep. Moving water infuses oxygen, thereby
counteracting the oxygen-depleting properties of heat
while allowing the utilization of filters to keep the water
sparkling clear.
Beware of buying cold water fish in the summer, however,
as they don’t ship well in heat. Examine them closely for
parasites and fungus. Make sure the fins are not clamped
close to the body. Keep tabs on new arrivals for at least a
week after releasing into the pond, for the stress of change
engenders them vulnerable to pathogens lurking in the
water. If necessary, pond-size remedies, such as Melafix or
Desa Fin, are available from fish and garden stores.
PLANT CARE
The most useful plant you can buy is the water hyacinth.
Fish love this floater’s long roots for spawning, while its
water-purifying properties are legendary. These plants are
so efficient at removing excess ammonia and other algae-
inducing nutrients, many sewage works have begun
experimenting with their powers. The plant is attractive,
sporadically producing beautiful pink flowers streaked
with lavender and yellow throughout the summer.
They spread like tsunamis once adapted, so thin several
times during the growing season or your water will
become unviewable! Unlike Dutch hyacinths, they aren’t
toxic and so may be fed to farm animals, should the owner
have any. These plants won’t survive our winters, which is
probably a blessing. Further south, they’ve become a big
pest, clogging up waterways and crowding out the natural
flora.
Perennial, or hardy, water lilies are surprisingly easy to
grow and provide the crowning touch of “tropicality” to
one’s own private lagoon. White, pink, red, yellow, or
salmon flowers begin opening in spring and keep coming
until frost, an amazing feat for a perennial. They easily
survive winters in water 18 inches or deeper.
Although the price may seem high at first, this one-time
purchase grows into three or four plants within a single
season. Divide in fall or spring, placing the tubers in
ordinary garden soil fortified with bone meal, rather than
lightweight potting mix, which rots in standing water. Use
large containers, such as cat litter pans and cover the dirt
with pebbles before returning to the water.
A FINAL TIP
One more suggestion, perhaps the most important. Clear
your schedule for time to do absolutely nothing. Then sit
back and relax in your own private paradise, allowing the
therapeutic sound of splashing water to wash your
troubles away.
The sound of moving water sooths the senses and calms
the psyche, which is why more people than ever enjoy
backyard ponds, complete with gurgling waterfalls and
splashing fountains.
Garden pools have risen in popularity over the last ten
years to the point where almost all pet stores and
greenhouses showcase a department dedicated to
“waterscaping.” Special bog plants, from duckweed to
water lilies, and fish, from minnows to colorful carp, are
available almost everywhere plants are sold.
Most ponds today are made with rubber or vinyl liners. The
old concrete base of yore was wrought with problems, the
biggest of which involved cracking due to the shifting
properties of the surrounding soil during freezing and
thawing. Today’s elastic liners stretch with these changes
and, depending on the exact material, last from 10 to 30
years. Secure the liner by surrounding the water with
flagstone, affording the pond a natural-looking finish.
FISH PRECAUTIONS
Goldfish and koi are considered cold water fish, but
nonetheless thrive in Oklahoma’s warm climate, as long as
the pond employs a good pump and is at least eighteen
inches deep. Moving water infuses oxygen, thereby
counteracting the oxygen-depleting properties of heat
while allowing the utilization of filters to keep the water
sparkling clear.
Beware of buying cold water fish in the summer, however,
as they don’t ship well in heat. Examine them closely for
parasites and fungus. Make sure the fins are not clamped
close to the body. Keep tabs on new arrivals for at least a
week after releasing into the pond, for the stress of change
engenders them vulnerable to pathogens lurking in the
water. If necessary, pond-size remedies, such as Melafix or
Desa Fin, are available from fish and garden stores.
PLANT CARE
The most useful plant you can buy is the water hyacinth.
Fish love this floater’s long roots for spawning, while its
water-purifying properties are legendary. These plants are
so efficient at removing excess ammonia and other algae-
inducing nutrients, many sewage works have begun
experimenting with their powers. The plant is attractive,
sporadically producing beautiful pink flowers streaked
with lavender and yellow throughout the summer.
They spread like tsunamis once adapted, so thin several
times during the growing season or your water will
become unviewable! Unlike Dutch hyacinths, they aren’t
toxic and so may be fed to farm animals, should the owner
have any. These plants won’t survive our winters, which is
probably a blessing. Further south, they’ve become a big
pest, clogging up waterways and crowding out the natural
flora.
Perennial, or hardy, water lilies are surprisingly easy to
grow and provide the crowning touch of “tropicality” to
one’s own private lagoon. White, pink, red, yellow, or
salmon flowers begin opening in spring and keep coming
until frost, an amazing feat for a perennial. They easily
survive winters in water 18 inches or deeper.
Although the price may seem high at first, this one-time
purchase grows into three or four plants within a single
season. Divide in fall or spring, placing the tubers in
ordinary garden soil fortified with bone meal, rather than
lightweight potting mix, which rots in standing water. Use
large containers, such as cat litter pans and cover the dirt
with pebbles before returning to the water.
A FINAL TIP
One more suggestion, perhaps the most important. Clear
your schedule for time to do absolutely nothing. Then sit
back and relax in your own private paradise, allowing the
therapeutic sound of splashing water to wash your
troubles away.
| FREE HUMOR! - Hilarious poems, essays, short stories, blog, and novel excerpts, by your webmaster, award-winning author, GaleChesterWhittington. com |
Water hyacinth in full bloom. Note how crowded the floating plants are. Thin
them out regularly during the growing season. Each flower lasts but one day.
them out regularly during the growing season. Each flower lasts but one day.
| Be sure to make the bottom pool wide enough to contain the splash-back or the pond will empty and the pump will burn up. |
| More Pond Pics & Tips on Page 2 Flower Photos start on Page 8 Return to Home/Index |
| Pink Water Mint and bog plant White Pickerel attract lots of butterfllies. For more pond photos, go to: Tips & Pics2: Pond. |
| For flower ideas for the banks of ponds, like this Maximillian's Spider Lily (hymenocallis maximiliani), visit Page 10 |
| Swamp Mallow or Hibiscus coccineus will grow on shore or in shallow water. This photo from Pics & Tips Page 164 |